Tikibird Goes West to Walk in Walt's Footsteps - June 2003, DLH- COMPLETED!!! About This Page:

[PS - I LUV WDW]

Thanks Sandy for more of the report!

[MinnieMary]

I'm really enjoying your trip report. It brings back many fond memories for me as I am a native Southern CA girl and made too many trips to DL to count [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

When we went to MK for the first time and saw the Tiki Room, I was so dissappointed when "Let's all sing like the birdies do" got interrupted. I can hardly wait to go to DL the first week of Aug. and see the real Tiki Room. Nothing can compare to the POTC and Matterhorn there!

Looking forward to your next installment.

[tikibird]

Hello everyone, sorry I've fallen a bit behind on this - SOMEONE (not mentioning any names) crashed our main computer and I couldn't scan any pics! We're back up and running, now, though, thankfully!


Day Two, Part Three - an evening to myself and a second view of the Electrical Parade!

Now, I had already decided after my wonderful solo trip to WDW in December, that I WOULD figure out a way to get a bit of time to myself in Disneyland. A great opportunity presented itself when I found out that the only other night that the Electrical Parade was running during our stay was this (Sunday) evening. Everyone else enjoyed the parade, but was not anxious to see it again so soon. So, mission accomplished! I announced that I was going to CA to see the parade again this evening. This of course, did not sit well with the Food Police, but we got through it! I walked with the rest of the family, as my first “to do” was to do some shopping on Main St. We parted ways as we entered the park, and I had a wonderful time just browsing through the stores on the right hand side of the street. My stomach started feeling rumbly, so I decided to check out the Juice Bar to see if it was still open to get a Dole Whip. Have to get the Partners pic and one of the castle on the way!






Alas, the juice bar was closed, so next, I wanted to go to the Disney Gallery and see if I could secure a Tiki Room poster. They had several different sizes, but the cheapest was over $30, so I decided to wait. On my way back through Adventureland, I see Andy, Craig and Chris. They are just ready to get in line for the Jungle Cruise, and the wait is only 10 minutes, so I decide to join them. We had a good CM. The ride seems a bit shorter than WDW – there is no temple at the end, so I give the edge to WDW on this attraction.

Afterwards, we parted ways again. By this time I am really hungry, and remember the yummy corn dogs sold at the little red wagon at the end of Main St. No Food Police in sight – so I go for it! I find a seat by Casey’s (I think it’s called Casey’s – it’s where Casey’s is in WDW and they sell hotdogs) to enjoy my corn dog. A little girl (about 4) walks by – points at my corndog and says to her parents “I want a CORNDOG, but NO mustard!” Proud that I have served as a role model for a young woman of America, I finish my corndog and visit the shops on the opposite side of Main St.!

In the Emporium, I spy a Tiki Room poster pin that I had seen on Ebay! I pick it up, as well as a “Big Cheez” Mickey pin w/a Cali license plate on it. Now that I had done my Main St. shopping, it was time to go over to CA for the parade.

I still had a good deal of time prior to the parade’s start, so I went into the California gift shop to see if I could redeem my Disney Travel Company vouchers for lanyards, pins, and Disney Club pins for all four of us. The CM told me that I would need to go to the counter two rooms over. I thanked him, and began looking at something else that caught my eye. Next thing I know, he came over to me, and told me that if I gave him the vouchers, he would get the items for me! I thanked him, and continued browsing until his return. When he came back, he had all of my items, as well as another box. “And here,” he said – “this is for you, too.” He opened the box to show my a five-pin set that looked to be a promotion for booking with Alaska air – it has Pilot Mickey, Flight Attendant Minnie, Goofy and Donald as tourists, and an Alaska airline airplane pin! I thanked him very much for the extra surprise, and left the store feeling very special!

Since I still had time left before the parade and did not have the Food Police tagging along, I figured this would be the perfect time to find an apple churro. First I walked through the Pacific Wharf area and saw where the Tortilla factory and Bread bakery were. Then, onto Paradise Pier, which, as I stated before, is incredible when lit up at night.



Walking along the Boardwalk was just magical, and soon I spied – a churro cart! One apple churro and one bottle of water to go, I continued my stroll along the boardwalk,




until I found an area to sit for the parade.

The parade was wonderful again! I could enjoy more detail this time, as I didn’t take a whole roll of film this time. I did get this one just for Joe, though!


I can’t say enough about this parade. It just makes me happy! So, full and happy, I leave the park for the day – but there is still shopping to do!

I have passed by the World of Disney several times, but cannot resist it any longer! After a nice leisurely exploration of the store, I get a DL T-shirt, a photo album for the trip pics, and a Mickey Calculator (already have one of these, but use it everyday at work and wanted one for home. I’m pleased to get the 10% DC discount.

I stroll back through DD and the DL Hotel property, to our building.



As I walk into the lobby to press the button for the elevator, I hear a familiar song: “In the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room…” I smile. I forgot to mention that when I got back the night before, the same exact thing had happened. Just an extra sprinkling of pixie dust was with me, I guess! [img]graemlins/love.gif[/img]

Meet the family back at the room around 10:30 p.m., shower, and lights out!

Next up - Day Three, Part One - A Mad Dash through Fantasyland and Lunch at the Blue Bayou where me gets me TREASURE!

[Elliot'sDragon]

Sandy, thank you so much. I sure do miss the Electric Light Parade. Sure Spectro is excellent, but memories of a first trip is so much better. I loved that float well before I saw th video.
I am trying to figure out a solo trip this year. The last few trips have been with family and/or friends.
I highly recommend a Solo trip fr anyone so inclined.

[luvnwdwgal]

Great installment Tiki!! So glad you got a chance to have a couple goodies without the Food Police knowing! LOL [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img] Hurry with the next installment!! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[kimdisneynut]

Thanks again

[Colexis Mom]

Great installment Tiki [img]graemlins/wavin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Love your pictures [img]graemlins/love.gif[/img] Looking forward to more!!

[PS - I LUV WDW]

Sandy - thanks again! The pictures really are wonderful, I really liked the dragon. Glad to hear that you were able to 'ditch' the food police for awhile and enjoy your food [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img]

Pam

[ProChristo]

Sounds like you had another wonderful day! Time alone in the World must be so refreshing after travelling with your family. Glad you had so much fun and those yummy treats too!

[Mel & Richard]

I'm really enjoying this report. It's the only DL report I have ever read.

I'm glad you managed to get a picture of Andy smiling! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Mel

[LilMarcieMouse]

Sandy great report. I wanted to ask you. In the Electrical Parade do they still have the float the "Mirrors" the have neon light in the shape of Goofy and others? I remember them from My first trip to Disney World. Thanks I am enjoying your report. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[tikibird]

Hi Marcie,

I did not see a float with mirrors as you are describing it. Still an awesome parade, though! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Hope to have another installment tonight or tomorrow!

[DebiDebiDebi]

Wahoo Tiki, keep it up, Love this report!

[tikibird]

Day Three, Part One – Monday, June 9th - A Mad Dash through Fantasyland and Lunch at the Blue Bayou where me gets me TREASURE!

Up at 6:30 a.m. today – there are many attractions yet to be seen! I take my morning walk to the Coffee House – today’s selection – A Strawberry Croissant and a banana to go with my coffee refill. Now, a note on the coffee – this was GOOD coffee – not that Nescafe yucky stuff! I got the French Roast each morning, and was quite impressed!

Time for devotions at my quiet spot, which was right next to the Koi fish pond. I missed having a balcony AKA Wilderness Lodge (the DLH has balconies, but very narrow ones that you really can just take one step on to look out – no room for chairs or sitting), but this was a nice alternative.



View of koi fish pond from my quiet spot!

Andy and I then take another trip back to the Coffee House for the guys’ refills while they get ready, and we make the morning trek through DD to Disneyland. Now, we realized we have many attractions to see yet, and we are hoping the park will be less crowded the rest of the trip as the weekend was over (BOY, we were in for a surprise, but more on that later!).

We get to DL at 9:05 a.m., and decide to get as much done in Fantasyland as we can first thing. So, first up is Alice In Wonderland! Craig and Chris love this ride – as it is a great dark ride, and also has a portion where your car goes back outside.

I next insist that we ride the Storybook Canal Boats, as there is no line, and we never have ridden on them. These are small boats, where you have a CM do the announcing through the ride for you, as on Jungle Cruise. You ride first through Monstro, and then past various minature recreations of the towns of many of the Disney stories.




For instance, we rode past Aladdin’s village.



As we were approaching Belle’s hometown, we notice a kitty nestled in the side of the hill (if you look very closely, you can see it - a gray kitty in the foreground), which we point out to the CM.


The CM then told us that years ago, because of a mice/rat problem, two cats were brought on property. They then multiplied, and there are quite a few kitties that roam DL and keep the rodents under control, although you rarely see them. We name this kitty "West Coast Noe (we used to call our cat Chloe "Noe"), and make a point to keep our eyes open the rest of the trip! As we sail past Toad Hall, I once again think of Marcie!



This was a completely enjoyable excursion – low tech, but cute - I’m glad we took the time to do it!

Next up, Pinocchio – also a delightful dark ride – complete with, of course – puppets! I then announce we will ride Casey Jr., even Chris is not enthused. Craig and I had ridden this last trip, and had sinced hoped one day we could get Andy and Chris to ride in one of the “cages” but they weren’t buying it! Casey Jr. is a small train that covers the same area as the Storybook boats. The Casey Jr. song plays as you whisk around the track.

By this point, Fantasyland is getting PACKED!!? What’s up with this!? Turns out, although schools in California are not out yet, it appears to be JR. HIGH week at Disneyland. Adolescents EVERYWHERE for the rest of the trip. The park was PACKED, and unfortunately, the park hours were not extended to accommodate for this. Good thing I like teenagers! And, we made the best of it.

Our next ride was Snow White. Have to give the edge to WDW on this one, as the DL version is too short and the storyline gets chopped up. Last up in Fantasyland – Peter Pan. Again, the edge to WDW for the same reason as Snow White. And Cindy – no Raggedy Ann and Andy on this version!

By now I am whining that I want to ride the new Winnie the Pooh ride. Incredibly, there is still just a 10 minute wait. The ride starts outside, and the vehicles are honey hives, not pots.




This version does not follow the storybook theming, but many of the scenes are the same. The Heffalumps and Woozles portion seems to be extended, and the ride vehicle gently rocks throughout the ride, rather than bounce w/Tigger. I looked for the reference to the Country Bears (which was removed to add this attraction), but couldn’t find it. Tough call on this one – I really like this version and the DL one.

Hit the Pooh shop afterwards, and found a shirt that I mentioned to Andy I would like to have for my birthday! Loved this window at the shop!


And had to have a picture in the Pooh area, as well (although no actual pictures WITH the cuddly one himself this trip).



to be continued....

[tikibird]

.....We head over to Adventureland to get a FastPass for Indy, but alas, it is broken down, so we go to Pirates. No breakdowns this trip, and the ride empties right into New Orleans Square, where we check in for our lunch PS.

Now, I HIGHLY recommend this restaurant to anyone that visits Disneyland. It used to be that you had to run to New Orleans Square first thing in the morning to get a ressie, but they are now taken over the phone 30 days out. I had made our PS for 12:00 p.m. (opening) in hopes of getting a waterside table. This place is MOBBED, but fortunately for us, they call PSs based on ressie time, not time checked in, and we are one of the first called, and get a waterside table. This restaurant has a similar feel to San Angel, as it looks over the beginning of Pirates – the bayou section w/the fireflies. It is dark, but there are lanterns overhead.



Craig, Chris and I had long ago decided on the MonteCristo sandwiches we had had here last trip (Turkey Ham and Cheese, dipped in batter, deep fried, dusted with powdered sugar, and served with a side of blackberry jam to dip it into. [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img] It is served with pasta salad. Andy ordered the Portobello mushrooms, and gave me one. It was excellent – tasted just like a steak!


My Montecristo and one of Andy's mushrooms!

We really enjoyed our lunch here - although I decided to skip dessert, as I was really ready for a Dolewhip! I did, however, remember to ask for two boxes of mint dubloons, These are gold foil wrapped chocolate mints that they serve at the end of each meal, and the waitress last time told us we could buy some when we commented on them. At $2.99 for about 20 mints, - it is a great bargain – and would make a nice souvenier gift. Anyway, I remember last trip that Chris ended up eating most of them before we got home, so I grabbed the bag they were in and started say “ARGHH – don’t mess with me treasure!” (This continued throughout the day – the family responded by rolling their eyes).

After lunch, we took a brief spin through the rest of New Orleans Square. Andy was enamored by the Villians’ shop and wanted his picture there.



And this, is my favorite spot in New Orleans Square – a quiet little staircase off the beaten path.




We’re now ready for more riding - so we are off in search of FastPasses!

Next up – Day Three, Part Two – Driving on Indy, Securing Chocolate Cherry Sourdough Bread, Sushi, and a Missed Passporter Meet!